Grateful for Natural Shade

Day 8: Thirty Days of Gratitude for the Earth

A canopy of trees is not only a beautiful thing to behold but offers protection from the heat and sun. The natural shade from trees:

• reduces the exposure to UV rays.
• provides comfort from summer heat and humidity.  
• can reduce the need for air conditioning in homes with adjacent trees. Lower use of air conditioners reduces carbon dioxide emissions.
• acts as a natural cooling system. The presence of trees in cities can reduce summer temperatures by providing coverage to pavement, streets and buildings. Of course, the larger the trees, the greater the cooling benefits.
• creates a protective shelter and habitat for other plants and animals.

I am lucky enough to live in an area where redwood trees grow and thrive. A canopy created by a cluster of redwood trees is magnificent. On a hot summer day, a walk through a forest of these massive trees is a wonderfully comfortable and cool place to be.

I am grateful for the shade and comfort provided by trees.